New iPad mini vs old iPad mini: What’s different?

Apple has finally given the iPad mini a refresh. The iPad mini (2024) features an upgraded processor and support for Apple Intelligence (Apple’s AI solution). We take a look at how the new iPad mini compares to the model it replaces and consider whether you should buy the new model or hunt around for a discounted 2021 version. 

Design & Build

Apple hasn’t done much to update the externals of its smallest iPad, as the iPad mini (A17 Pro) to give it its full, awkward name, is pretty much identical to its predecessor the iPad mini (6th gen). In terms of size they both share the 195.4 mm (7.69 inches) x 134.8 mm (5.3 inches) x 6.3 mm (0.25 inches) dimensions, and even the weight has stayed the same at 293 grams (0.65 pounds) for the Wi-Fi version and 297 grams (0.66 pounds) if you want to add the cellular option. For the latter, it will have to be eSIM as the new iPad mini no longer supports the Nano-SIM option from the previous model. 

Both accommodate an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display and have the Touch ID sensor built into the power button. You get USB-C ports across the board, and the battery life is also the same with Apple stating that you should expect up to 10 hours when watching video via Wi-Fi. 

There’s the same camera appointments and layout, the same stereo speakers, microphones, and a magnetic connector allows you to secure your Apple Pencil, although the new iPad mini only works with the Apple Pencil Pro or Apple Pencil (USB-C) (so if you wanted to bring over your Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) from the older iPad mini (2021) you’re out of luck). Thankfully, any cases you already own should still fit just the same. 

As usual, there’s no waterproofing in the iPad mini, so don’t get it wet. 

One noticeable difference is the color-schemes on offer. Whereas the iPad mini (2021) came in Starlight, Purple, Pink, and Space Grey, the new model drops the Pink in favor of a new Blue livery and there’s also a slightly lighter Purple. 

Display & Speakers

As mentioned earlier, it seems that the display in the new iPad mini (A17 Pro) is the same as on the older model. That means you get a fully laminated 8.3-inch Liquid Retina panel that runs at a resolution of 2,266×1,488 and 326 ppi. SDR brightness tops out at 500 nits, with Wide color (P3), True Tone, and an anti-reflective coating. One small difference, which we expect is down to the processor, is that the new model supports Apple Pencil Hover for the Apple Pencil Pro. 

There’s no ProMotion support on the new iPad mini (nor was there with the older version), which could be sad news for anyone who thought the Pro chip might bring the Pro feature. Apple still refuses to give its non-Pro devices the 120Hz refresh rate that is commonplace on other devices. 

Stereo speakers occupy the shorter edges of the device, which, as stated in our review of the 2021 model, despite being a step up from the 5th gen iPad mini due to having two outputs, “the sound quality itself has not improved significantly”. 

One thing that has been upgraded this time around is Bluetooth, which moves from Bluetooth 5.0 in the iPad mini (2021) to Bluetooth 5.3 in the new variant. This should improve connections with Bluetooth speakers and headphones. 

Specs & Performance

The main differentiator between the new and old minis comes from the processor. Three years is a long time in tech, and the A15 Bionic chip in the 2021 model is showing its age. In order for the new iPad mini to run Apple Intelligence (the company’s AI suite of tools), it requires a beefer bit of silicon. This comes in the form of the A17 Pro chip, which is the same as the one used in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. 

While both chips are comprised of 6 CPU cores  (2 performance, 4 efficiency), 5-core GPUs, and 16-core neural engines, Apple states that the newer version is 30% faster for CPU performance and delivers a 25% GPU performance increase compared to the A15 Bionic. There are also various gains for gaming performance, which you’d expect from a chip that’s a couple of generations newer than its counterpart. 

It’s not only the silicon that gets a boost though, as Apple has finally decided to up the base-line storage allocation from the 64GB in the 2021 model to 128GB for its 2024 replacement. There’s also a 512GB option on the new model if you want a capacious amount of storage in your iPad mini.

Basically, the new iPad mini (A17 Pro) is faster and has more onboard storage then the older model, two things that can be crucial for iPads if you want them to last a long time. 

Here’s a breakdown of the technical specifications for both models;

Cameras

The cameras in the two iPad minis are again practically identical, albeit with a minor upgrade on the new one. In both you get the main 12MP f/1.8 Wide camera, that features a True Tone flash, 4K/60fps video recording capabilities, 3x video zoom, Digital zoom up to 5x, and Slo-mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps. The only difference is that you now get Smart HDR 4 for photos, instead of the Smart HDR 3 that came on the 2021 model. 

It’s a similar story with the front-facing camera, which is an Ultra Wide f/2.4 camera that takes 12MP photos. You a 2x zoom out, which allows for the Center Stage feature that keeps you in the middle of the frame on video calls, plus there’s a Retina Flash with True Tone, Extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps, Cinematic video stabilization, and 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps. Again, the newer device has Smart HDR 4 for photos, rather than the Smart HDR 3 that featured on the 2021 iPad mini. 

Connectivity

There are a few spec bumps in the connectivity department, with the new variant offering Bluetooth 5.3 (the 2021 has 5.0) Wi-Fi 6e (2021 has 6), GPS, USB-C and if you plump for the cellular model then you’ll get 5G (sub-6GHz) no matter the generation you choose. So, it’s an all-round update for the iPad mini (A17 Pro). 

Apple Intelligence

One of the main selling points that Apple is pushing these days is for the Apple Intelligence AI tools. These include tools that help you improve your writing and can summarize text for you. Updates to Siri that allow it to be more helpful in general, plus various editing tools in Photos to remove background objects and let you create home movies just by using prompts. 

The iPad mini (A17 Pro) can use Apple Intelligence, but it won’t be available on the iPad mini (2021) due to hardware constrictions. If you want to play with Apple’s AI software, then you’ll need the new iPad mini, an iPad Air or iPad Pro, a M-series Mac, an iPhone 15 Pro/Max, or an iPhone 16-series phone to do so. 

For more on what it has to offer, you can read our guide to Apple Intelligence. 

Price & Availability

You can buy the iPad mini (A17 Pro) now on the Apple Store or from any good tech retailer. The prices are as follows;

• iPad mini (A17 Pro, Wi-Fi) 128GB: $499/£499 (Originally £569)
• iPad mini (A17 Pro, Wi-Fi) 256GB: $599/£599
• iPad mini (A17 Pro, Wi-Fi) 512GB: $799/£799
• iPad mini (A17 Pro, Wi-Fi+Cellular) 128GB: $649/£649
• iPad mini (A17 Pro, Wi-Fi+Cellular) 256GB: $749/£749
• iPad mini (A17 Pro, Wi-Fi+Cellular) 512GB: $949/£949

Here are the best deals we’ve found for the new iPad mini: 

With Apple releasing the new iPad mini (A17 Pro), it has officially discontinued the iPad mini (2021), so you won’t be able to buy it on the Apple Store (unless you can find a refurbished model). 

As a guide, on its initial release, the iPad mini (2021) cost the following. As you can see the price changed a few times in the U.K.

• iPad mini (2021, WiFi) 64GB: £479/$499 (originally £479, then £569, then £499)
• iPad mini (2021, WiFi) 256GB: £619/$649 (originally £619, then £749, then £749, then £649)
• iPad mini (2021, Wifi+cellular): 64GB: £619/$649 (originally £619, then £749, then £749, then £649)
• iPad mini (2021, Wifi+cellular): 256GB: £759/$799 (originally £759, then £929, then £799)

The best deals for the iPad mini (2021) right now follow – note that the new models have twice as much storage, so make sure you are comparing like with like.

Should I buy the iPad mini (A17 Pro)?

With such a long gap between to two devices, and the introduction of Apple Intelligence, it is easy to recommend the iPad mini (A17 Pro). It’s the same familiar iPad mini you know, but now with a faster processor, more storage, plus a few nips and tucks here and there. If you see the old model on a killer deal, then it’s only worth considering if the price really reflects the amount of storage on offer. We’d recommend that you pay the extra to get the new model as it is enough of a step up to make it worth the extra money. 

To see what other options Apple has for you, take a look at our iPad buyers’ guide in which we compare all the current models.

Source : Macworld